Sexual assault victims' well-being must be a priority

Gail Kerr's Aug. 14 column, "Victim's well-being comes first in any rape case," certainly hits the truth that rape is about the impact on the victim and not the offender. The emphasis should be on the welfare of the victim who often suffers from depression, anxiety, fear, nightmares and sometimes suicidal feelings.

The devastating effects of sexual assault on adult women and children can last for years, and take years of therapy and prayers to undo. Victims often blame themselves wrongly for the offense when responsibility belongs to the sexual offender.

We should strongly support good treatment for victims of sexual assault. We should also strongly support the treatment of sex offenders in order to have less future victims in the world.

Richard Gillespie

Licensed marriage and family therapist

Cookeville 38501

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Sexual assault victims' well-being must be a priority

Gail Kerr's Aug. 14 column, 'Victim's well-being comes first in any rape case,' certainly hits the truth that rape is about the impact on the victim and not the offender.